Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-12-17
FINANCES
In Connection with the Army a.
shown by the Secretary OF War.

I'm Connection with the Array a.
shown by the Secretary OF War.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6-The financial report
ofthe secretary OF war shows that the expen-
ditures OF the department during the fiscal
year amount TO sal, SS8,l65. The estimates for
next fiscal year aggregate s53,sSS,v 40. against
an appropriation for the current year OF $751;.
6l,S2. The increase is caused by the ineor-
puration Of an estimate OF So SS9. ISL for public
works, including river and harbor improve
ments, the expenditures on this account for
the current year amounting to only 81, IOa
The secretary says the estimates for the mill
tary establishment are based on the actual
Requirement g OF service During recent years
appropriations for transportation OF the army
have been Inadequate to meet the cost thereof,
ANA failure TO appropriate funds for that
service has caused much embarrassment.
The secretary refers to General SchOtield's
rgcoalm nddtlon that at least one eight-ineh
muzzie Loading gun, with appliances for tar
get practice and one or more OF the new
bfcecn-toadilg guns and mOrtars be furnished
each military post, with view to the i'm
proyemeni ot artillery Instruction.
touching Geronimo and his fellow cAptiyes.
now o lnned at Fort Pickeus and Mount
NCrnuu barracks the report says that at this
lime II Is u difficult matter To md for them q
permanent home; Tor many reasons il Is inn
possible TO return them To Arizona and under
existing laws they can not be taken To Indian
Territory, aud on the northern reservations
the climate is too cold for them. The report
refers briefly 10 the difficulty in August last
IN Colorado between the state authorities and
Cnlotnw band of Gtes, and says an effort
Should be made for the restitution of their
rne secretary strongly approves the recon-
mendation contained in General Sheridan's
report touching tine extension OF all pc sible
tii o. the general government 10 the nat
iunal guard OF the different states, and sug-
testing a system of national encampments
Tor state militia at the expense OF the national
government.
Attention is called to the fact that the Pa.
clic I'f'tlSt Is destitute OF fortidcations, guns
ana armament of every description, while
san trancseo Is without single gun which
can he hred with safety with the present
charges of powder and modern pro ,ectiles.
Favorable endorsement is also given to the
lieutenant generals recommendation that the
present strength of the army be increased by
I'VE thousand men, and particularly atten-
ton IS called to the Importance of an increase
OF tine artillery service, and also certain
changes in the present organization of artil-
lgrv regiments.
The secre airy suggests that the number OF
court martial trials can be much reduced II
provisions be made for the punish
ment Ot minor ofenc without summoning
acuurt InAriiai, as indicated in the annual
report OF lSSi. The secretary renews
his recommendation in regard to the
enactment OF laws for the pun
isimrnt of civilian witnesses who refuse to
'tstl4AS ltE auiuOEilS 10 secure the assistance
uf civilians and police officers in arresting
ana 10. ding deserters, ana for revision of the
q ticleS OF war, which have remained sub
stantially unaltered here, while in England
ana elsewhere military codes have been mod
lheu In accordance with the requirements OF
modem times. The secretary recommends
legislation regulating and making uniform
punishment that may be a humiliation in
cases Of deSerters, and fixing the liability OF
minors 70 military Jurisdiction after enlist
ment,
In reference TO the pay department of the
army, the report says: ''rhere is frequent
clashing of authority between the war end
treasury departments in regard to payments
directed by the former. To the great embar-
Tassment Of the diSbursing officer accounts
are dlsallnwed. The diSallOwance OF nay
ments made by and under such authority
W.nks great haTdshipS to the discussing
officer, as on one hand he is confronted with
the charge of diSObsdio nee, and, on the other
a assuming liability for which either he or
his suretieS will be held pecuniarly respon-
StbIe In order to prevent this l recommend
that the powers of the respective depart
ments by clearly defined by legislative act"
Copious quotations are made from the re-
port OF the chief of ordnance in producing
high grade steels, and the ACCESSIBILITY OF
increased appropriation for the supply ford
nance, for experiments with the dynamite
torUedo gan, and with those now in progress,
and with the shells charged with high ex-
plCSlNes Hred by means OF gun powder. In
concluding his report the secretary saws:
1.-THE result of examination for promotion
under civil service regulations, which were
applied to the war department in May, were
satisfactory. The total number Of clerks ex-
amtned was l,Ol4, of whom 9t3, or 80 per cent,
passed. | renew the recommendations con-
tanned in my previous reports, and in those OF
my predecessor, for the appointment of an
assistant secretary of war and of an assistant
attorney general to advise and assist in legal
and technical questions which daily occur.